Career advice

Happy Earth Month! How to go green at work

If you’re like me and you’ve had “Every Day is Earth Day” stuck in your head today, you may be thinking about how you can get your office to go green (did anyone else have to memorize and perform that song every year in grade school?).

In honor of Earth Month, here are four easy ways to go green on the job!

Recycle - Sounds simple enough, but many offices still do not have a recycling program. Go ahead and start one! It will show that you not only love the earth, but you also have initiative to move the company forward. Don’t just recycle what you use at the office, push to only purchase recyclable materials.

Time to eat (and drink) - If you bring your lunch to work, use only reusable containers and silverware. Think about how many plastic forks and plates you use on a weekly basis! You should also use reusable coffee and travel mugs instead of the Styrofoam cups we have all become accustomed to. Instead of buying plastic water bottles, try just drinking tap water. You will find yourself saving money with this tip as well.

Stop driving to work alone - If possible, carpool or use public transportation to get to your place of employment. If close enough, try biking to the office. The more people who get off the road, the better our environment (and traffic!). With gas prices continuing to rise, you will also be helping out your wallet.

Change out your cleaning supplies - Research using biodegradable cleaning supplies to spruce up the office. You may be surprised to find that many of these cost the same (if not less) than traditional brands.

While these four quick tips can help you create a greener office for you and your coworkers, you can also easily apply these at home as well. And if you’re still looking for that great gig, remember that recycling everything from the back side of some scrap paper that heavy-duty plastic soft drink bottle will save some serious change, too.

Kim is a job-search coach for Snagajob! She's a Certified Professional Resume Writer and a Certified Employment Interview Professional. When she's not helping with job searches, she can be found hanging with her hubby, Matt, and puppy, Belle.